I snorted. “How do you know about Baywatch?”
Mason toe’ed off his shoes, then emptied his pockets into them. “Everybody knows what that is.” He reached for my hands and pulled me to my feet. My eyes went to where he wastouching me before looking into his eyes. “Take off your shirt,” he said softly.
I took a step back and undressed, stowing the contents of my pockets in my shoes. “What happens if someone steals our stuff?”
Mason rolled his eyes. “You’re a former FBI. You can find him. Now come on, let’s go. It’s the least you can do. The ocean water has to be good for something. It’s organic. Just like the food you buy.”
His exaggerated grin convinced me to give in. “I don’t know why I put up with you.” Another big lie.
Mason chuckled and took off for the water. “Last one in is a rotten egg!”
Shaking my head, I followed as he splashed in the freezing water, then dove under. He was an idiot for doing that, but here I was following right along with a stupid smile on my face.
Half an hour later, after dunking each other in the water, we dragged ourselves out of the water and onto the sand. I grabbed my shirt to dry off with before sitting back down on the sand. Mason sat down next to me. He had a hint of sadness that caught my attention. “How long are you going to be gone?”
I kept my eyes on the water. “Probably five or six days. How will you ever survive?” I quipped.
“I can make it a week as long as I don’t go near the Squid.”
My phone blared a familiar ringtone, interrupting our conversation. As I dug into my shoe, Mason stood and gathered his things. “I’ve got to run. Call me later.”
“You don’t have to…”
He waved a hand like it was nothing. “Answer your call. Tell Hudson I said hello.”
I watched in confusion as he jogged away with all his things in his hands. Accepting the call, I kept my eyes on him till he got to his car. “Good morning, Governor.”
Hudson grunted at the title. “Morning. Are you busy?”
“No. Just finished a run. I’m surprised to hear from you this early, though. It’s not even seven.”
He yawned in my ear. “I know, but I thought I’d catch you before Evan woke up.”
My friend already sounded content in his new life. “Whatever you’ve got to say must be important to get you out of bed this early?”
Chuckling, he finally got to the point. “I know, right? We’re still adjusting from the trip, but I wanted to give you the heads up that I gave William Carlisle your number.”
I wiped my face on my shirt. “Okay. Can I ask why? Does he need protection?” The billionaire owner of the Storm was a divorced father with two kids. I could see why he might use my services.
“No,” Hudson yawned again. “He needs a director of security. It was Evan who suggested he call you, so you can blame him.”
I chuckled as I watched the SEAL recruits jog down the beach, carrying lifeboats over their heads. “It’s fine. I’ll be happy to talk to him. I’ve not made any decisions yet.”
He hummed. “Enjoy your time off, buddy. You deserve it. Maybe work on finding someone to share your time with. You might enjoy it.”
Hudson wanted that sort of happiness for me. But I wasn’t relationship material anymore. Subjecting myself to that pain again was a hard no, but I had Mason and my dogs. “You know I’m kinda set in my ways. And I have my girls.”
“Hmph,” Hudson huffed. “Stop making excuses. They won’t keep you warm at night.” He paused. “Okay, maybe they can do that. But you know what I mean. How about I arrange a blind date?”
My face contorted into a pained expression at the thought. I could imagine Mason rescuing me. “No, thank you. I’m perfectly happy with my life as is.”
He laughed in my ear. “We would like to help you find more friends, so you don’t waste away in your condominium reading thrillers and watching the Military Channel on cable.”
I barked out a laugh at his suggestion. “I’m not desperate, and I can get my own dates when I want them. I’m heading to Ireland tomorrow, so I’ll be gone a few days.”
He snorted. “Uh-huh, sure you can. I’m sure Adley knows someone…”
Oh, hell no. “Nope! Do not involve that woman. I’ll have to go into hiding if she meddles in my love life.”
